After the Interrogation Department conducted a thorough inspection and verification, then cross-referenced the intelligence several times, they finally released Sahara Mizu from the Hokage Building.
They also gave him a severe disciplinary penalty.
On top of that, the damaged ground had to be leveled again, and the cost of repairing the barrier foundation alone came to over six million ryō—though Sarutobi Hiruzen had stepped in and given him a seventy-percent discount, practically selling it at cost.
Luckily, Sahara Mizu knew a fat sheep like Tsunade. Otherwise, he really would not have known where to get that much money.
In the end, he fled under the resentful stares of the Sealing Team members who had been forced to work overtime.
"Good work, Lord Mizu."
Namikaze Minato smiled somewhat helplessly and patted his shoulder in consolation. "I don't know whether this is good news or bad news, but we should be transferred to the front lines soon. There'll definitely be mission bonuses."
"If it's you, Lord Mizu, a debt of a few million ryō will surely be paid off soon enough."
"Ku-hahahahahaha—!"
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Kushina was laughing uproariously beside them, tears nearly squeezing out of her eyes.
"Isn't this guy totally innocent?! Hardly anyone even knew about that barrier, right? And they're actually charging him for breaking it? Puku-kukuku!"
"Kushina!" Minato tugged at her repeatedly and lowered his voice. "That barrier was built to protect you."
"Huh?"
Only then did the Red-Hot Habanero's laughter abruptly stop.
Sahara Mizu looked at her helplessly as well.
He simply could not understand this idiot's bizarre sense of humor.
Minato-kun really had it rough.
Thinking this, Sahara Mizu glanced behind them. During the time they had been strolling and chatting, there were at least thirty Anbu and Sealing Team members around them—and that was only because